By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The Connecticut Post is the latest publication to explore former WWE CEO Linda McMahon's "controversial past" as the chief executive of WWE with more questions raised about the history of early deaths in the pro wrestling industry.

McMahon's campaign spokesman Ed Patru has been busy with damage control this week. He threw a blanket over the history of early deaths, drug issues, and steroid abuse in pro wrestling by pointing to WWE instituting the Wellness Policy in 2007.

"The reality is that, as CEO, Linda put in place a comprehensive wellness program that includes a strictly enforced substance-abuse policy," Patru said in response to McMahon's Republican opponent, Rob Simmons.

WWE is contending that Simmons's spokesman is digging up ex-wrestlers to bash McMahon to derail her campaign. The Post interviewed Marc Mero and Irv Muchnick, who each raised valid claims about the dangers of the pro wrestling industry before and after the existence of the Wellness Policy under McMahon's watch.

WWE's head attorney Jerry McDevitt chimed in with a categorical denial of any accusations against WWE by claiming the ex-wrestlers who have been speaking out against WWE and McMahon in recent mainstream interviews are "con-artists."

The topic of "Umaga" Eddie Fatu's death last week came up in the story. Umaga's death and the recent findings on the condition of Andrew "Test" Martin at the time of his death in March 2003 are relevant considering wrestlers who have recently been in WWE are still dying young despite the presence of the Wellness Policy.

WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman recapped that WWE released Fatu from his contract in June 2009 after he refused to enter rehab following his second Wellness Policy violation. According to the Post, Zimmerman said he "couldn't disclose what Fatu tested positive for."

Link: The full report can be read on the Connecticut Post.

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